Craftylilly

Summer of craft

I've been a busy crafter this summer.  Yes, the kids are out of school which sometimes means I can't get a lot of crafting done, but I've been doing projects with them, and have been finding 15 minutes here, 30 minutes there to craft.  It's amazing how much progress can actually be made by lots of short periods of crafting time throughout a week. 

The biggest and most exciting crafting for me these past few weeks has been getting reacquainted with my spinning wheel.  I picked out some red, white, and blue corriedale roving from my stash, and spun up around 300 yards of 2 ply in sport to worsted weight.  I think it came out quite pretty.  Two interesting things came out of this project too.  One, since I did not seperate the colors when I spun it up, the results is a lovely meld of red, white, and blue making much of the yarn a lovely purple.  Two, I spun this up while watching several episodes of Dr. Who Season Three and discovered that the Red Ranger likes Dr. Who as well.  That's my boy.

I've also been crafting with my kids.  Of course this isn't any surprise for those of you who have known me long.  Our latest project was pony bead lacing.  The kids did some basic stringing.  The Red Ranger made a necklace and bracelet, and Princess of Quite-a-lot made a long string of beads that she said could be used for a snake, sculpture, or forcefield protecting her action figures from attack.  I made a simple cuff bracelet closed with a button.  We then had a fun photo shoot to show off our creations.  If you are my friend on facebook, you can check out the rest of the photo shoot which includes the kids' creations as well, and a goofy picture of me with mine.

I've also finished knitting up my Chocolate Lace tank which used the Spidery Tank pattern from the latest Interweave.  I'll post pictures of that later. I've also sewed a top that needs pictures too. Contemplation has begun on taking out the crocet hook again and making a bag.  If you check out Futuregirl, she's got a super cute free crochet pattern for a bag; it's called Starling bag.  I'm thinking of picking up a hook to try my hand at it.  Knitting has begun on a Spring Things Shawl as well.  I've also got a scarf on the loom, but I wasn't the smartest beginning weaver and warped my Harp with... wait for it... mohair.  Yes, woe is me.  It's slow going, but it's going to be so pretty, and it's a gift for a friend who will love it, so it's worth the effort.

Whack of celebrations

I've been really bad about celebrating/acknowledging the family celebrations on the blog.  RM's birthday went without a peep of acknowledgement, then I had a birthday.  But I am managing to post today, RM and my 11th anniversary.  I love you D, and look forward to many, many more years with you. 

(And just so I don't seem like a total web slacker, I did announce/celebrate the aforementioned events on Facebook.  That counts too, no?)

School's out for summer!

PQL had her last day last week, but RR gets out today.  The first graders are going to have Olympics this morning, and then pizza at school.  A classmate has then invited everyone over for a swim party.  There's only one bummer on the day, it's a cloudy and cool day.  I don't think that's going to keep the kids out of the pool though. 

Although I've been caught up in the end of school goings ons, I have been crafting quite a lot.  I'm completed three washcloths, and am working on a fourth.  I've also sewn a simple skirt.  I'm having so much fun with my sewing machine, I plan on trying my hand at a few more skirts and another summer top or two.  The skirt I just completed I just winged, but I just picked up a book called Sew What Skirts that goes over how to draft differnt skirt shapes.  I'm especially interested in drafting an A-line skirt.

 I also completed my February Lady Sweater.  It's been cool lately, so I can still wear a sweater, but I think this little pink number will be spending time in storage until next fall.  I really love this sweater though!  It's so soft due to the yumminess of the malabrigo, and the shape is very flattering.  Here are the specs.

Pattern:  February Lady by Pamela Wynne

Yarn:  Malabrigo in Geranio.  When I first got this colorway, it was a bit of a stretch for me.  In the skein it's a very bright, vibrant pink.  After knitting it up, the color becomes a very rich purpley/pink and is just lovely.

Needles:  Size 8 Addi interchangeables

Thoughts:  This is a simple and cute pattern.  It went pretty quickly aside from being distracted by other crafting pursuits while knitting it.  The lace pattern is easy to memorize, and I like the style of having just a few buttons at the top.  I'll get a lot of wear out of it next fall/winter.

I hope to be around the blog and the blogiverse much more this summer.  I've got lots of crafting planned, and kid crafting in the works.  The kids are working on Pom-Pom creatures, friendship bracelets, decoupage boxes, and we may tie-dye some shirts.  I've got weaving, spinning, sewing, knitting, and I'm going to try my hand at some bead crochet as well.  Too bad summer is only 3 months long, eh?

I'm more active on Twitter (craftylilly), and on Facebook.  I also am having a huge on Ravelry.  I've got a bunch more to put up by the weekend, sweater quantities and several skeins of Kureyon, so if you are interested check that out too. 

On your marks, get set, Summer on!

Yes indeed, summer is certainly almost here.  The kids and I are already thinking of all the things we'd like to do this summer.  For the kids the list goes as follows:  swim, play, swim, swim, swim, play some more, swim.  For me the list goes like this:  knit, spin, weave, sew, read.  Good thing I can do many if not all of these things poolside, no?

I got started early with the sewing by make the Spring Ruffle Top my Made by Rae.  I'm a sewing newbie, and made a few mistakes along the way, but I'm pleased overall with the finished top.  I elected not to put ruffles on  the straps.  I've got a good set of shoulder, and don't need to be calling attention to them.  I also did sew in the arm divots (what a clever thing), and did not do the waist shaping.  I see this as more of a flowy shirt, and didn't need the shaping.  This summer I want to play around with my sewing machine and make some other things.  I'd like to make a skirt, another top or two, and maybe a bag.  I'm definitely less intimidated about sewing more complicated items after working on this one.  What a great tutorial!  As you can see my fabric is of owls who are clearly experiencing a winter climate.  This ironic use of fabric for a spring/summer top does not concern me, however.  After all, the owls are wearing knitwear. 

Thanks to all who sent RR and the rest of us support last week.  The Ranger is doing well after his eye surgery.  His eyes are still tender, and have started to itch as they heal, but he's in good spirits, and is looking forward to returning to school tomorrow.  The relief is overwhelming.

Good surgery vibes will be gratefully accepted

The Red Ranger is having his eye surgery today.  I'm not concerned about the surgery itself, but I don't like the general anesthesia he'll be under.  We'll all be relieved when it's over.  The poor guy and I spent about 6 hours down at the hospital yesterday (his birthday no less) doing pre-op appointments. 

So... if you have a moment, some positive mental energy sent his way, and ours will be gratefully accepted. 

Happy Birthday to my Red Ranger!

I can't believe that he is 7 years old!  He had a great time at his soccer party yesterday.  Although it was 100 degrees yesterday, the boys seemed to really enjoy running around and playing soccer.  I, on the other hand, was melting along with the cupcake frosting, in the shade. 

RR is such a happy, fun, sweet boy.  I'm so proud to be his mama.  Happy Birthday boyo!

He also has a brand new smile in time for his birthday!  We love that toothless grin. 

Random life moments and some cute amigurumi!

My kids convinced me to pick up the crochet hook after more than a decade of no crochet.  During their Spring Break we went to Michael's.  The kids saw this cute little free crochet pattern for a Rudy the Rectangle.  A few minutes of discussion later and we were picking out colors of Vanna's Choice acrylic and pulling off a copy of the free pattern.  I realize now why I don't crochet very often.  I'm the slowest crochetista on the face of the planet.  Seriously.  I was able to finish them both up though, and the kids love them.  The pattern itself is very easy, and crochet really does make a nice firm fabric for toys.  I don't see these little guys stretching out of the shape like some knit toys have after vigorous kid play.  Overall I also didn't mind working with the acrylic Vanna's choice.  It wasn't squeaky at all, didn't hurt my hands to work with it, and made a nice crochet fabric.  I've got plenty let over for some other amigurumi, but I need to finish my February Lady sweater first, and a Spring Things Shawl I've had on my to do list forever.  Oh yes, I also have some sewing, weaving, and spinning planned too.  It's starting to sound like I won't be crocheting for quite a long time, huh?

Since I last posted on the blog, life has been quite busy here at Chez Craftylilly.  Here's a short list of some highlights:

• The Red Ranger is scheduled for eye surgery in a little over a week.  It's the same surgery the PQL had last year.  We're all a little stressed.  RR is most bummed that he has pre-op appts on his 7th birthday, and has to miss 2 weeks of baseball after surgery.
• PQL had the stomach flu last week.  Luckily the rest of us escaped, but the cleaning and sanitizing fervor I get when the dreaded stomach bug hits the house is legendary.  My hands are still recovering from all the washing.
• The kids are all signed up for summer day camps.  July should be a busy month for them, and thus a smooth month for me!  They will be doing some sports, some church camp, and some science camp.  Good times.
• I'm trying to make some decisions about going back to work.  The good news is that I feel ready to go back to the classroom.  The bad news is that since PQL will be in kindergarten next year, it might not be totally feasible for me to do so for another year.  Plus, with the budget problems in California, teaching jobs are scarce this year.  We'll see.

I'm hoping to get some crafting done before the kids are off for the summer.  I have a feeling that my time will be drastically cut after school gets out.  What are your plans for last spring/early summer crafting?

Spring Break is over, but the crafting was good

The kids are happily back and school, and I'm ready for the final 6 week push to the end of the year.  We did have a good Spring Break together though!  It was a low key one, which was very nice.  We took a couple of day trips, and did some crafting together.  First, we decorated T-shirts with Crayola fabric markers and crayons.  After using both and laundering the finished shirts, I have to say that the fabric markers worked the best.  The fabric crayons are best used on 100% polyester clothing, but seriously, who would wear a totally polyester shirt?  I don't have a picture of the results for the blog, but if you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you can check out pictures that I've posted there.  Most of the pictures in this post are from our second craft project.

We also make felt cuff bracelets with some felt stickers, buttons, and strips of felt.  This was a simple project, though I did need to whip stitch around the buttonholes to reinforce the felt.  If I was to do this again, I may use a snap closure to make it easier for the kids.  I do think they came out great though!  The kids have been using them as their superhero cuffs.  Good times.

And to prove that I am knitting and crafting a bit myself, here's a WIP pic of my February Lady sweater.  I'm knitting her in Malabrigo worsted in the Geranio colorway.  Mmmm, malabrigo...  This sweater is such a fun knit.  I'm not sure if it's the yarn or the cute pattern, either way I'm enjoying the knit!

Long time, no write

Lately I've been feeling a distinct lack of blogging mojo.  I'd say I've been feeling this lack for the past couple of months.  I even forgot my 4 year blogiversary in February.  I'm not sure where it went, other than I've noticed that my productivity in the crafting department has gone up with the less computer time I've had.  Fancy that, eh?  I actually think it all started when I toyed with the idea of returning back to the classroom next year.  I even applied for a job, which I didn't get.  In addition, I feel like I just don't have a ton to say.  Lately, I've toyed with the idea of stopping the blog and just keeping up with everyone on Ravelry and Facebook, however, both of those options don't afford the space to share a lot of news like a blog.  For now, I'm going to keep blogging, although I think it will be far less often.  I've decided that I'm ok with that. 

I have completed one knitting project, and started a weaving project, both of which I cannot share because they are gifts and the recipients both read the blog.  I've started a crochet amigurumi project for my kids.  The crochet is going very slow, so all I've got is a small segment of blue which is hardly exciting blog picture fodder.  I've also been working on a February Lady Sweater in Malabrigo.  How I love Malabrigo.  It's so soft and lovely, but again is sort of a boring picture. 

My kids have saved the blog from a pictureless post, however.  They are both on Spring Break this week, so yesterday we went to the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley.  They have an exhibit there called Animal Grossology which is so cool.  Well, it's awesome and gross all at the same time.  We learned all about which creature is the slimiest, why cats cough up hairballs, how leeches/mosquitoes/ticks suck blood, why insects like to bury their eggs in excrement, the grossness that is the tapeworm, and how to match up scat with the animal that left it behind.  Seriously, how great is that knowledge for the 4-7 set, not to mention the 30 something set?

And for those of you not into the animal grossology, I'll leave you with the gorgeous view of the bay/Oakland/and SF across the bay that I took in Berkeley yesterday.  It's not often I see a fog-free view of the City, but it's so pretty when it does happen.

Blankie making

There's nothing like comfort knitting when one's life is super busy.  I recently finished a super easy mistake rib baby blanket for my soon to be born goddaughter.  I held two strands of Red Heart Designer Sport together to make a marl effect.  I decided to go with the nontraditional baby colors of teal and chocolate brown.  The colors go quite well together, I think.  This acrylic yarn is actually quite soft and easy to work with.  It didn't feel squeaky at all, and it's machine washable, a must for a baby knit.  This blanket is more of a blankie size, to be used in the stroller and car seat.  I hope my friend likes it!

I also completed my crafting T-shirt quilt.  I'm quite pleased with the results.  The T-shirts are ironed onto fusible interfacing, the borders are quilting cotton in a solid purple, and I decided to go with fleece to back the quilt.  I found super cute print with cats and yarn balls.  The theme went perfectly with the theme of the quilt.  I also decided to tie the quilt top and backing with buttons instead of yarn ties.  I think the small purple buttons I got pulls the quilt top together quite nicely.  It's not a perfect first quilt.  There are a lot of  mistakes, but it's comfy and has charm.  I'm not sure I'll be quilting again any time soon, but I'm glad I gave these T-shirts a new life.